First match controversial star is eligible to play in after bite ban is trip to Old Trafford - and another potential face-off with Patrice Evra

Big Wednesday: Suarez is in the frame to face Man United next week (Photo: John Powell)

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Brendan Rodgers is ready to pitch Luis Suarez into the bearpit atmosphere of Old Trafford when his ban ends next week.

Liverpool boss Rodgers has confirmed he is considering playing Suarez in next Wednesday's Capital One Cup trip to arch-rivals Manchester United - the first game he will be eligible for after serving his 10-match bite ban.

The striker would be guaranteed a hostile reception from United fans will never forgive him for his racial abuse of their defender Patrice Evra in 2011.

Rodgers is undeterred though.

When asked if he would throw Suarez straight back in rather than wait for the Anfield giants' trip to Sunderland four days later, he replied: “It would be something to consider.”

Rodgers has had the Uruguay international, who was suspended for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic in April but has been able to play for his country and in pre-season, on a tailored fitness programme designed to help him hit the ground running.

“We’ve been organising some games behind closed doors, both in terms of in-house 11-a-side matches and bringing teams in,” said Rodgers.

“He has been doing a lot of individual work, specific to him, on top of all that and replicating his high-intensity speed runs he would do in a game.

Mouth of the Mersey: Suarez's notorious attack on Branislav Ivanovic

“It’s not the same as playing in a match, but say he did 1,000 high-intensity runs in a game, he has been replicating that in training, so that he’s at a level, where we hope he will hit the ground running.

“The idea is that, hopefully, when he steps back in it will be seamless. Of course, there will be a transitional period for him, but I’m really looking forward to having him back.

“He’s working his socks off. He’s flushing himself out to the maximum to be as fit as he possibly can.”